USS Constitution "Old Ironsides" in battle with HMS Guerriere, Boston, MA, 1914

About this postcard

A colored view of two frigates close alongside in heavy seas, the American ship in the foreground firing into the British vessel, both under full sail with national ensigns flying. The printed caption identifies the scene as the battle of 19 August 1812 between the American frigate Constitution and the British ship Guerriere, calling the American vessel "Old Ironside" (likely Old Ironsides) and the British ship "La Guerriere" (HMS Guerriere). Commanded by Isaac Hull, Constitution defeated HMS Guerriere under James Dacres; British shot was said to rebound from the American frigate's heavy oak hull, helping earn the ship its enduring nickname.